SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia will be without Scott Fardy for the third Bledisloe Cup test against New Zealand next week because of an eye injury but the abrasive forward will be available for the five match tour of Europe. Fardy has played on the blindside flank in all six tests since Ewen McKenzie took over as coach but sustained the injury in last weekend's 54-17 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina in Rosario. In Scott Higginbotham's continued absence through...

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The Wallabies have re-signed rising forwards Liam Gill, James Slipper and Rob Simmons until the end of the 2015 World Cup, the Australian Rugby Union said on Tuesday. The contract extensions mean the trio will also remain at the Queensland Reds in a boost for the Brisbane-based Super Rugby team. The 21-year-old Gill, who has impressed in his 10 test caps since his debut against New Zealand last year, bolsters an impressive array of Wallabies back-rowers which...

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia coach Ewen McKenzie recalled experienced prop Benn Robinson for the tour of Argentina and South Africa on Tuesday as he beefed up his squad for what is expected to be two physical Rugby Championship tests. The 29-year-old loosehead, one of Australia's best scrummagers, was left out of McKenzie's first four tests in charge which yielded three losses to the All Blacks and South Africa as well as a one-point win over Argentina last weekend. ...

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia will be without Scott Fardy for the third Bledisloe Cup test against New Zealand next week because of an eye injury but the abrasive forward will be available for the five match tour of Europe. Fardy has played on the blindside flank in all six tests since Ewen McKenzie took over as coach but sustained the injury in last weekend's 54-17 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina in Rosario. In Scott Higginbotham's continued absence through...

SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Australia coach Ewen McKenzie firmly put his own stamp on the Wallabies by including eight uncapped players in his 30-man squad for the Rugby Championship and dropping 59-cap prop Benn Robinson. An almost permanent fixture for Australia at loosehead over the last few seasons, Robinson's exit clears the way for either Scott Sio or James Slipper to face New Zealand next weekend in the opening match of the southern hemisphere tournament, which also includes...

MELBOURNE, July 12 (Reuters) - Super Rugby's defending champions Queensland Reds have welcomed back explosive winger Digby Ioane and flanker Liam Gill for their crucial match against New South Wales Waratahs in Brisbane on Saturday. The Reds lie seventh in the southern hemisphere provincial championship's standings ahead of the final round of the season this weekend. They will likely need to score four tries in victory over the 11th-placed Waratahs to...

SYDNEY, March 24 (Reuters) - The ACT Brumbies' unbeaten start to the season came to a shuddering halt at the weekend but another superb display from George Smith will only increase calls for his return to the Wallabies squad for the British and Irish Lions series. The 32-year-old openside flanker, who won 110 caps before his international retirement in 2010, was once again outstanding despite the Brumbies' 35-22 Super Rugby defeat at the hands of South Africa's...

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The Wallabies have re-signed rising forwards Liam Gill, James Slipper and Rob Simmons until the end of the 2015 World Cup, the Australian Rugby Union said on Tuesday. The contract extensions mean the trio will also remain at the Queensland Reds in a boost for the Brisbane-based Super Rugby team. The 21-year-old Gill, who has impressed in his 10 test caps since his debut against New Zealand last year, bolsters an impressive array of Wallabies back-rowers which...

SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Australia coach Ewen McKenzie firmly put his own stamp on the Wallabies by including eight uncapped players in his 30-man squad for the Rugby Championship and dropping 59-cap prop Benn Robinson. An almost permanent fixture for Australia at loosehead over the last few seasons, Robinson's exit clears the way for either Scott Sio or James Slipper to face New Zealand next weekend in the opening match of the southern hemisphere tournament, which also includes...

SYDNEY, March 24 (Reuters) - The ACT Brumbies' unbeaten start to the season came to a shuddering halt at the weekend but another superb display from George Smith will only increase calls for his return to the Wallabies squad for the British and Irish Lions series. The 32-year-old openside flanker, who won 110 caps before his international retirement in 2010, was once again outstanding despite the Brumbies' 35-22 Super Rugby defeat at the hands of South Africa's...

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia coach Ewen McKenzie recalled experienced prop Benn Robinson for the tour of Argentina and South Africa on Tuesday as he beefed up his squad for what is expected to be two physical Rugby Championship tests. The 29-year-old loosehead, one of Australia's best scrummagers, was left out of McKenzie's first four tests in charge which yielded three losses to the All Blacks and South Africa as well as a one-point win over Argentina last weekend. ...

MELBOURNE, July 12 (Reuters) - Super Rugby's defending champions Queensland Reds have welcomed back explosive winger Digby Ioane and flanker Liam Gill for their crucial match against New South Wales Waratahs in Brisbane on Saturday. The Reds lie seventh in the southern hemisphere provincial championship's standings ahead of the final round of the season this weekend. They will likely need to score four tries in victory over the 11th-placed Waratahs to...